Right here 🙋🏿♂️, I only skate DC Lynx’s, Last resorts, and Half Cab pros, Dunks are just a shoe that I have zero interest in. The whole process of trying to buy them online is annoying, and overall I don’t even like how they feel at all when my homie let me borrow his pair to test… crazy that a big DC shoe feels impeccable to me compared to a Nike SB dunk 😂
I want to try a pair but I’m not paying full price AND going through the hoops. The main draw is the different colourways more than anything else. But like I said it’s too much of a hassle. Why go through the hassle when I’ve already got shoes I love in the Joslin 1s.
Ben really went and articulated everything I've felt about Dunks haha...literally everything you said I totally agree with. Great video. And cool dog. And cat lol
highs skate pretty much the same as the lows the only noticeable difference is you need a lot more force on the flick in lows because of how chunky they are highs kinda flick automatically because the shoe goes back to its normal shape after you bend it
Would love to hear a side by side review of Dunks vs New Balance 1010. Two tech cupsole shoes. One easily attainable one hard to access. Fit, board feel (soles and sides), and break in period. Great review Ben as always!
For me personally 1010s piss over Dunks big time . Just got Dunks and they feel exactly how he said. Like wearing cardboard boxes. Especially after being used to the comfy insole of 1010s
I’ve been skating dunks since 09, you’re right about the downsides on the dunk. I just look at them as a long term skate footwear option, break in sucks, but the endgame content is highly enjoyable. Would play again
@@Realisticskate i have before i usually jus toss them in for 40 Secs and walk around in them for 5-10 min they kinda mold to the bottom of ur feet they really clutch for the break in time
long term option don't work neither they last about a month of hard skating. Which I guess is longer than most skate shoes if ur really using them almost every day.
in my opinion, the eS Accel OGs are a better skate shoe than the dunks. for a bulky cupsole, they provide a good amount of board feel and have a phenomenal grippy outsole.
There was zero board feel on the OG accels, let’s not even get in to the leather ones. The Koston 1s are an aesthetic masterpiece and they put out some timeless footage as a team but Nike has the money and history with sports to just put out better technology. The SB is everything right about vans with none of the wrongs. You get board feel on the pockets and shock absorption in the heels. The OG accel is gigantic in comparison. Probably hurt your foot less on impossibles and casper flips. Since the SB launched how many companies went under and how many riders didn’t get checks from their sponsors after that? Nike and Adidas just dominated. You can ride other shoes but as far as the technology of stock soles and materials no one comes close to those two. Even ES today with the re release of OG shoes to be hip is putting Payless insoles in their shoes.
@@stalwartzero7001 it’s personal preference. I loved skating the OG es accel and it was so good for kickflips. I skated one pair of dunks and didn’t really like it but that being said I’d give it another go.
@@wilhemlawrie3967 I liked them because of P Rod, Mike Taylor and PJ Ladd but I’m saying ES never really updated the technology of their shoes and are hanging on by a nostalgia thread.
as a former dunks collector, yeah theyre not the most comfortable shoes even to walk in. and yes its a weird thing being a collector of an uncomfortable shoe. it is a very nice looking shoe though, its a classic style, with outdate comfort features. thanks for the review ben
There is definitely some element of hype with every Dunk purchase. That said, geography is important. I live in Denver, and there's three stores (one with three locations) that sell dunks, often with online entry available. I've never stood in a line for Dunks and I've been able to get four or five pairs in the last year or two that way. You're definitely right that there's some getting used to (I also came from Blazers). But after a pair I got very used to it and breaking them is is pretty easy. Their durability is great and I found my feet and my back aren't nearly as sore after a multiple hour sesh. Being that skateboarding is also so mental, I think really liking the toebox and how they look helps my skating as well.
I honestly think Dunks are extremely comfortable and good for skating. I am used to skating thicker cupsoles. For many years my favourite shoe was the Etnies Marana of which I had 7 or 8 pairs. I only recently I got my first and second pair of dunks, now I think they are extremely good. The proportions are just perfect. Not too slim, not too bulky. The fit is good. The impact protection is great. The flick is good. Really there isn't anything to complain about. I think they are excellent. Maybe I won't get Dunks anytime soon again because I want to support core skateboarding brands like eS, Etnies, Emerica and others, but Dunks are definitely a super good shoe.
Agreed. Etnies Joslins with the Michelin soles are the most durable skate shoes I've tried. And they're like pillows on my feet (i.e., good protection).
Nike probably does more for skating than you would think. They don't pay their team riders in shoe laces. And they fork over a lot of money to invest in skating. Not saying they aren't an evil corporation in other ways, but as a skater I appreciate what nike does for us. Thrasher can't even pick the right soty
Ben, first of all I love your shirt! That match very well with the grey hoodie. I like to know which brand shirt it is, I like to have one myself. Secondly... DON'T even think about to skate them!!! Kidding... but dun skate them. Just, leave it for a bit and resell term!! I knew about the shelf story, I had the same conversation over three years back with some shop employees when I couldn't get any of them to skate with. Because of the dumb hype, I couldn't get hold of a pair Dunks to skate on for or under retail, like the Jordan 1's back in the days. Now I'm riding on cheap Blazers and half Cabs, which I love more genuinely! Thank you dumb Dunk hype!!!
I appreciate your perspective and honesty on these. Personally, I love dunks and have skated them for years because no other shoe has given me a cleaner heelflip than them. Judging from the other shoes you skate, I can totally see why they aren’t your cup of tea though. I think they’re a great shoe, but the hype definitely extends beyond the true worth they carry. I used to buy them for $50 at the outlet because they weren’t a big seller, but I still think they’re worth their current retail price (and not a penny higher). Thank you for not going straight to hype up or bash these and giving your honest feedback.
I don’t think they are a bad shoe. So many people skate them exclusively they can be bad. I think if I skated multiple pairs in a row they might grow on me. I also actually really like the way they look. I just wish they were a little less hyped and easier to find.
Two reviews I would love, Mini Logo Trucks and Vans AVE. Funny story, I got made fun of for wearing a pair of Orange Dunks in School. My Mum didn’t have a lot of money and they were on Sale. What a strange world we live in, I believe it was 2004. Blazers are twice the shoe Dunks are for skating. Thanks for all the awesome content.
I think an interesting video would be to compare these to the Lakai Telford ( Lakai’s dunk knock that they brought back.) They’re way more accessible and I think they skate great. They recently upgraded the sole to the one they used for the proto, and I thought that was a great cupsole. Loved this video too. I think having to enter raffles to buy shoes that drop every week is stupid. Glad it helps make shops money though. Also enjoyed the doggy and the kitty playing in the snow. 10/10 content haha.
I skated some when they first rereleased! I’m excited to try the ones with the new sole though. The one that kind of dips lower in the middle. I think it looks great. There’s a 4 star colorway coming out soon and it’s black and teal. I’m gonna skate them for sure.
I started skating almost purely in vulcanized skate shoes around 2010 or so, and recently decided to try a pair of Dunks to change things up. I have to agree with the points you made here. Personally, I just can't work with them. I'm sure someone who is more used to cup soles would be fine, but I think I've been wearing thinner, grippier shoes for so long now that I can't really go back to something heavier.
i like repeatable shoes so i used to get dunks used off ebay, they were pretty cheap and then went ridiculous. opted for shell toes instead, they suck in some ways but are long lasting, repeatable and affordable. really enjoyed this review, cheers.
Just visited Vancouver for the first time from Nova Scotia, walked by a lot of those spots you were at and really missed my skateboard. Was cool to see someone skating them though!
Hey Ben, I really liked your video, because the truth is that no one has talked about it, the truth is that I don't skate with Nike shoes, but many people, due to marketing, the professionals they sponsor, etc., buy and use them, I believe that the large corporations that have become embedded in the world of skateboarding have made skater brands bankrupt. This is just my humble opinion, but it's what I see on the streets.
Ben Respect! Honestly the hype came when celebrities starting wearing them cause from 04' to 17'/18' you could buy SB Dunks at every skate shop but they've always had a Lil hype in hiphop/streetwear sub culture. But I love SB Dunks even skating in them and wearing them..
I skated Nike SB Dunks and I know it is not the most liked brand in skateboarding but they are really durable. For me they actually felt pretty good 🤷♂️
i have skated accel og for about a year and a half now and i think that once you get used to the cupsole especially the es one it is uncomfortable to skate vulcs the edge feels too harsh and they need to break in much longer and wear quicker too
I don’t care at all about the collectibility of these shoes, but from the perspective of aesthetics they’re a beautiful sneaker. Perfect silhouette and classic lines. I’m a sucker for sweet looking color way too; partial to blue and red. I have yet to cop a pair; just haven’t lucked out and I refuse to pay typical resale prices. I like the two you featured. Really wanted a pair of the Carpet Co highs that came out a year or two ago with tear/wear away graphics under the outer layer.
@@bendegros lol, I hear you. I don’t have the benefit of your experience so I can’t concur, but it doesn’t surprise me at all to hear you say that. I’m a little older than you, but we basically grew up skating in the same era. While shoes may not always look very different than they did in the 90’s and early 2000’s, the tech and comfort have come a long way. So assuming dunk construction is more or less the same as it was…
Im personally someone who has always loved skating dunks, and has been willing to go through the hassle involved with buying them, but the recent price increase has kind of been the last straw for me. The dunk highs, which are most likely the only ones that you will have a chance to buy, now retail for $170 Canadian!! That’s just too damn much for a skate shoe.
I personally love how dunks feel. I like my skate shoes kind of bulky and chunky they make my feet feel safer, it takes some time to get used to but after that they are amazing
I don't care that much about dunks sb, but I remember how I used to participate in a few raffles for some nice colored low dunks for 2 or 3 years and never got a chance to buy one. I wouldn't probably skate in them, more likely I'd wear them just for walks, even though they're not that comfortable, but I can't deny that some of the collabs like the one with Civilist Berlin or atmos Elephant looked pretty good. I have only one old pair of hi top dunks sb which looks nice, but I've never skated in them. Overall, I'd choose a pair of suede blazers sb over any dunks for the actual skateboarding.
Dude, plz explain something about air and hangtime. I've known these two terms since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. I can't find any good tips for it. You're the only one who can do a tutorial of this. Your pop tutorial from back then is already very helpful, but we need something to stay in the air longer.
First off, thanks for the conte, Ben! You definitely put in the work!! The Dunk, much like the name implies, was originally designed for Basketball.Also, they've been skated loooong before the SB treatment.... As with the AJ I, they were skated because they hit clearance racks(Ask the Bones Brigade) much love!!
Ben explained to every fine detail what i felt dunks and i have the same dunks in the vid. i try to skate them every now and then and end up just giving up halfway through a session and go back to whatever other shoes i have haha.
Great take on the dunk as a skate shoe. Outside of the GT, I have never found Nike SB shoes to especially impressive to skate in. I am an older skater and appreciate the construction of more skate specific brands and find them to be much more functional, with the exception of Adidas, I don't believe any of the "outside" companies have really gotten it right yet(in their designs). I I wonder if you have a take on why this is?
Great review, way deeper than the snow in your backyard )) Thats just one more kind of madness... Personally I skate whatever feels ok and could be bought for cheap.
As someone who skates myself (beginner) I've actually been into collecting shoes (including Dunks) since 2017. I've only been skating for less than a year. I think it's unusual how skaters say that "skaters should be able to buy Dunks first" when the technology in dunks has been around since 90s/2000s and there are much better newer options as well as better old options like the Nike Blazers. It would be like someone saying "Basketball players should be able to buy Jordan 1s first" because they were originally designed as a basketball shoe, yet skaters also buy Jordan 1s and skate in them. Clearly Dunks are mainly popular for skating because they look cool and the hype, and I'm glad you drove that home in this video
@@bendegros I definitely agree that SB Dunks are intentionally scarce but I think the same Is true for Jordan 1 High OGs (which almost always sell out immediately). It seems Nike uses SB Dunk hype to drive demand for all the general release Dunks (Non-SB Dunks) and in the same way they use the Jordan 1 High OG to generate hype and sales for all the general release Jordan 1 Mids and Lows that you can find sitting in Footlocker etc. In saying that though, SB Dunks are definitely more scarce than even the rarer Jordan 1 High OGs (should take into account Jordan 1s are also more popular). All just my opinion though, keep up the great content! Been watching for a good few months now
They have a very unique feel that I never got used to. I always felt like the were holding back my skating a little....which is exactly how I feel about halfcabs so I think you will love them😂
@@Aminormaze fr i shouldnt even be saying anything, nobody knows how hard they go. you can get them on poshmark for like 60 too, im on my 5th pair or something like that now
I had a pair of Dunks when I first started skating in 2011 cause, like you said, they where sitting on the shelves and I got them for like 60 bucks. Years later I wanted to feel that nostalgia again and get a pair of dunks, but that was when the hype boom happened, and I havent even gotten close to getting a pair. Im probably just gonna buy reps at this point, since theyre identical to real dunks, just from a different factory. Nike themselves are essentially creating the rep market they hate, because of their artificial scracitiy for shoes like dunks. I just wish there were a few basic colorways of dunks jsut constantly available, so the people that want to skate in thm can
Ben, totally unrelated to the video, but given your knowledge on board setups, shoes, etc., it would be cool to see you make a video about recommending setups to your friends. For example, say a buddy of yours is certain height, weight, and shoe size, and they want to focus their skating on flip tricks, ledges, and manuals. You’d shoot a video of their current setup and skating, interview them, then recommend shoes and a board that you think would work better. A couple weeks later after skating the new setup, you’d film the results. What do you think? (I was mostly inspired by your vids and Jamie Fly’s video about his custom 8.5 board, mellow kicks, and 14” wheelbase)
One year later and as I'm working with kids aged 8-9 this little bit about materialism being like drug addicts hit so hard. There's 9 year old bullying other kids because of not having the newest phone or the right pant or not designer etc. It's scary to say the least! When I was nine we were playing WW2 with sticks in the forest just begging for my parents to rent a TMNT VHS...
Yo i was confused af. Ive watched some of your home repair videos before and i recently ran into your skate videos. I was like damn, he looks like that other guy. I guess it is you! Cool stuff man! Im back on a board after 20 years and tryjng to document my progress. No idea how you find the time to record and edit for 2 channels. Bad ass!
Hi Ben, nice snow. Dunks are hyper inflated due to hypebeast culture and resellers. The dunks are a silhouette that a lot of skate companies use (DC’s mantecas, éS Accels, etc.). I actually prefer the accel slims due to cost and availability. Also the tongue is slimmer on the accel slims (SB dunks have an obnoxious tongue). I won’t be buying any SB dunks anytime soon but thanks for the video and Happy Holidays from my family to yours.
I am skating for 26 years now and started wearing and skating sb dunks around 2004. At that time és, circa and axion were my favourite brands. When i saw P-Rod switching to Nike SB and wearing dunks all the time i was soo curious about how they skate. So i bought one pair at a skateshop in munich and instantly fell in love with this model. They look reall good, the boardfeeling is perfect for me if you break them in and the colourways are crazy. I prefer the suede ones which are more comfortable and skate much better. They also last longer! It really sucks that this model got out the skateboarders hand to greedy resellers. ): When i stopped skating 6 years ago and got back into it 3 years ago i couldnt trust my eyes how expensive the have become. ): The last two years i was lucky to grab some nice colourways for retail prices but the dumb raffle system is soooo stupid! ): I made a small collection of different clean colourways for myself. So i can ware and skate them the next years and dont care about the stupid prices. (; At the moment i really like the high ones which save my ankles and the basketball look is tight! (:
Couldn’t agree more. Side note. The shop owner was 100% right. Don’t we all want the local skate shops to thrive and survive? Than why wouldn’t we want them to sell the mediocre skate shoes to other people and make bank so us skaters can keep getting all the actual good skate shoes for ourselves? I know I do! Let them peeps rake in the dough and let us skate the top of the line 4-EEEEEver! (Sandlot voice) 😂
Yeah that's kinda how I've always felt about it. The hype is strange but at least it means the local shop will sell out of each drop of Dunks they get. Can't be mad at that at all
For some reason I've felt lately that I want to buy a pair of dunks beacause I wanna know how they skate. Perfect timing for this review. Maybe you said it but do you usually skate padded shoes or vulc? I loved busenitz and vulc shoes but as I got older it hurts to skate slim shoes and always pick cupsoles nowadays. I recognize the transition from slim to padded shoes as you describe the dunk feeling weird. But now Im used to it. Sick manny footy!
I skated some highs. The fit was good and the comfort was there. Amazing grip and flick. Decent impact and felt cool wearing them. Decent durability. Not worth the money but if they came to me I’d be happy to skate them
Personally, apart from the colour ways, the dunk is a fairly boring shoe design wise. Wouldn't waste my time on them. But if your talking nike and skate shoes, the ishod is one of the best, if not the best skate shoe I have ever skated in. Its so well designed and ticks all the boxes imo. Would love to see a review on them in the future.
I find that I like skating blazers or non Nike shoes way better than dunks. I’ve been wearing dunks as my every day shoe since around 2002 though, so when Nike SB became a thing I was stoked that there was a “better” version of the shoe I could buy in more fun colors. I do, however, like to wear dunks around as my “I’m going out but might skate” shoe since they’re so durable and can wear them casually and skate without them taking much damage and looking terrible. I keep a pair and an extra board in my trunk just in case.
Fantastic! Have you tried the Ishod SBs? They’re my favorite BUT replace the stock insole with a thinner one like from the lakai cambridge. The ishods are soft, very flexible and actually feel great to flick.
Was there a dip in popularity at some point? I worked at a skate shop in socal in the early to mid 2000s when the first skate dunks started coming out, and they were popular out the gate. At least in Southern California the sneaker heads immediately sniffed drops out and they never sat on the shelf. I still remember seeing a wall of Tiffany dunks in the back of the store, looking back on it now should have bought the whole shop stock lol
For the past 8 years I have been skating in Vans adders they didn't even make them anymore but I still find them online and on top of that is also skate half cabs cuz the toss up between those two back in the day I used to skate the old Nike High Tops basketball tennis shoes those are really good
The buying dunks thing is really sad with resale culture, but my local skate shop has counteracted the hypebeast/resellers and reserves them for actual skateboarders at retail price. I can understand how other shops outside of California need the markup and need the outside sales, but in SoCal it looks like dunks are here for the skaters. The cool thing about this is that it actually converted one of the hypebeast resellers to an actual skateboarder, and now he's a park local like any other.
I swear there are so slippery, that’s why I skated dunks once and now NEVER again. I would suggest superstars, as they grip soo good and the board stays on your feed all the time 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽
About 12 years ago I got dunks cause they were on sale and I learned so many tricks with them, wish I’d have gotten more when they were affordable or cheap
Anyone else could care less about Nike SB’s but just watched this because they are excited Ben Degros put out more skateboard related footage 🤣😜
Right here 🙋🏿♂️, I only skate DC Lynx’s, Last resorts, and Half Cab pros, Dunks are just a shoe that I have zero interest in. The whole process of trying to buy them online is annoying, and overall I don’t even like how they feel at all when my homie let me borrow his pair to test… crazy that a big DC shoe feels impeccable to me compared to a Nike SB dunk 😂
Yes lol I only skate Straye's but have to watch every one of Ben's videos
I want to try a pair but I’m not paying full price AND going through the hoops. The main draw is the different colourways more than anything else. But like I said it’s too much of a hassle. Why go through the hassle when I’ve already got shoes I love in the Joslin 1s.
@@bradenfriesen488yeah strayes are awesome!
minimal break in period ✔️
comfortable ✔️
priced decent ✔️
He’s must watch and one of a very few where I can stand to watch the whole episode.
Ben really went and articulated everything I've felt about Dunks haha...literally everything you said I totally agree with. Great video. And cool dog. And cat lol
The older this man gets the better his skating is becoming, like a fine wine. Also I'm not a Nike guy really, but boy dunks are a beautiful shoe.
love the way you break shit down, Ben. Thanks for your continued hard work and clear explanations
I appreciate you Ben. And your wisdom and knowledge. People like you make earth a better place.
That was a great session downtown. Your half cab nose slides were so steezy, as was everything else. Have a great day.
I’d love a Dunk High review…they don’t have a lot of the hype, are more accessible to skaters, and have ankle support that the lows do not have.
highs skate pretty much the same as the lows
the only noticeable difference is you need a lot more force on the flick in lows because of how chunky they are
highs kinda flick automatically because the shoe goes back to its normal shape after you bend it
Would love to hear a side by side review of Dunks vs New Balance 1010. Two tech cupsole shoes. One easily attainable one hard to access. Fit, board feel (soles and sides), and break in period. Great review Ben as always!
Id love to see a video like that too
For me personally 1010s piss over Dunks big time . Just got Dunks and they feel exactly how he said. Like wearing cardboard boxes. Especially after being used to the comfy insole of 1010s
I’ve been skating dunks since 09, you’re right about the downsides on the dunk. I just look at them as a long term skate footwear option, break in sucks, but the endgame content is highly enjoyable. Would play again
Have you tried microwaving them
Ik this is common asf but I wanna skate a pair and I’m curious the difference it makes
@@Realisticskate i have before i usually jus toss them in for 40 Secs and walk around in them for 5-10 min they kinda mold to the bottom of ur feet they really clutch for the break in time
long term option don't work neither they last about a month of hard skating. Which I guess is longer than most skate shoes if ur really using them almost every day.
in my opinion, the eS Accel OGs are a better skate shoe than the dunks. for a bulky cupsole, they provide a good amount of board feel and have a phenomenal grippy outsole.
There was zero board feel on the OG accels, let’s not even get in to the leather ones. The Koston 1s are an aesthetic masterpiece and they put out some timeless footage as a team but Nike has the money and history with sports to just put out better technology. The SB is everything right about vans with none of the wrongs. You get board feel on the pockets and shock absorption in the heels. The OG accel is gigantic in comparison. Probably hurt your foot less on impossibles and casper flips. Since the SB launched how many companies went under and how many riders didn’t get checks from their sponsors after that? Nike and Adidas just dominated. You can ride other shoes but as far as the technology of stock soles and materials no one comes close to those two. Even ES today with the re release of OG shoes to be hip is putting Payless insoles in their shoes.
this is the way, they're the comfiest shoes i've ever worn
on my 3rd pair rn
@@stalwartzero7001 it’s personal preference. I loved skating the OG es accel and it was so good for kickflips. I skated one pair of dunks and didn’t really like it but that being said I’d give it another go.
@@wilhemlawrie3967 I liked them because of P Rod, Mike Taylor and PJ Ladd but I’m saying ES never really updated the technology of their shoes and are hanging on by a nostalgia thread.
@@stalwartzero7001 truth I threw in an old Adidas Adiprene insole into my accel OG's, worked out nice. The one that comes stock is garbage thin crap.
as a former dunks collector, yeah theyre not the most comfortable shoes even to walk in. and yes its a weird thing being a collector of an uncomfortable shoe. it is a very nice looking shoe though, its a classic style, with outdate comfort features. thanks for the review ben
I agree on the look. I like it too. Wish they weren’t so played out.
There is definitely some element of hype with every Dunk purchase. That said, geography is important. I live in Denver, and there's three stores (one with three locations) that sell dunks, often with online entry available. I've never stood in a line for Dunks and I've been able to get four or five pairs in the last year or two that way. You're definitely right that there's some getting used to (I also came from Blazers). But after a pair I got very used to it and breaking them is is pretty easy. Their durability is great and I found my feet and my back aren't nearly as sore after a multiple hour sesh. Being that skateboarding is also so mental, I think really liking the toebox and how they look helps my skating as well.
I honestly think Dunks are extremely comfortable and good for skating. I am used to skating thicker cupsoles. For many years my favourite shoe was the Etnies Marana of which I had 7 or 8 pairs. I only recently I got my first and second pair of dunks, now I think they are extremely good. The proportions are just perfect. Not too slim, not too bulky. The fit is good. The impact protection is great. The flick is good. Really there isn't anything to complain about. I think they are excellent. Maybe I won't get Dunks anytime soon again because I want to support core skateboarding brands like eS, Etnies, Emerica and others, but Dunks are definitely a super good shoe.
I’m old as hell but, for skate shoes, I try to stick with companies wholly focused on skating like etnies. Nike doesn’t need my money.
Etnies>>>>
same here but they do own 32 which are snowboard boots
Cosign.
Agreed. Etnies Joslins with the Michelin soles are the most durable skate shoes I've tried. And they're like pillows on my feet (i.e., good protection).
Nike probably does more for skating than you would think. They don't pay their team riders in shoe laces. And they fork over a lot of money to invest in skating. Not saying they aren't an evil corporation in other ways, but as a skater I appreciate what nike does for us. Thrasher can't even pick the right soty
Ben, first of all I love your shirt! That match very well with the grey hoodie. I like to know which brand shirt it is, I like to have one myself.
Secondly... DON'T even think about to skate them!!!
Kidding... but dun skate them.
Just, leave it for a bit and resell term!!
I knew about the shelf story, I had the same conversation over three years back with some shop employees when I couldn't get any of them to skate with.
Because of the dumb hype, I couldn't get hold of a pair Dunks to skate on for or under retail, like the Jordan 1's back in the days.
Now I'm riding on cheap Blazers and half Cabs, which I love more genuinely!
Thank you dumb Dunk hype!!!
I appreciate your perspective and honesty on these. Personally, I love dunks and have skated them for years because no other shoe has given me a cleaner heelflip than them. Judging from the other shoes you skate, I can totally see why they aren’t your cup of tea though. I think they’re a great shoe, but the hype definitely extends beyond the true worth they carry. I used to buy them for $50 at the outlet because they weren’t a big seller, but I still think they’re worth their current retail price (and not a penny higher). Thank you for not going straight to hype up or bash these and giving your honest feedback.
I don’t think they are a bad shoe. So many people skate them exclusively they can be bad. I think if I skated multiple pairs in a row they might grow on me. I also actually really like the way they look. I just wish they were a little less hyped and easier to find.
i feel the same way about dunks. i just wish i could easily get a pair to wear around because some colorways do look great
Two reviews I would love, Mini Logo Trucks and Vans AVE. Funny story, I got made fun of for wearing a pair of Orange Dunks in School. My Mum didn’t have a lot of money and they were on Sale. What a strange world we live in, I believe it was 2004. Blazers are twice the shoe Dunks are for skating. Thanks for all the awesome content.
People paying 70$ for a champion hoody too lol
I think an interesting video would be to compare these to the Lakai Telford ( Lakai’s dunk knock that they brought back.) They’re way more accessible and I think they skate great. They recently upgraded the sole to the one they used for the proto, and I thought that was a great cupsole.
Loved this video too. I think having to enter raffles to buy shoes that drop every week is stupid. Glad it helps make shops money though. Also enjoyed the doggy and the kitty playing in the snow. 10/10 content haha.
I'm on my 3rd straight pair of Telfords...best shoe ever!
I skated some when they first rereleased! I’m excited to try the ones with the new sole though. The one that kind of dips lower in the middle. I think it looks great. There’s a 4 star colorway coming out soon and it’s black and teal. I’m gonna skate them for sure.
Happy holidays! Your halfcab nose nollie heels were sikkk!
Dude you are killing it. You’re style is so fun to watch
I started skating almost purely in vulcanized skate shoes around 2010 or so, and recently decided to try a pair of Dunks to change things up. I have to agree with the points you made here. Personally, I just can't work with them. I'm sure someone who is more used to cup soles would be fine, but I think I've been wearing thinner, grippier shoes for so long now that I can't really go back to something heavier.
Epic skating, the switch nose manual fakie flip out was so tight, the switch heel after was also tasty
This was such a good and helpful video! Very illuminating!
I just noticed you're almost to 100k subs. Keep up the good content, Ben!
i like repeatable shoes so i used to get dunks used off ebay, they were pretty cheap and then went ridiculous. opted for shell toes instead, they suck in some ways but are long lasting, repeatable and affordable. really enjoyed this review, cheers.
You would look sick with the NB 808's to go with those Tiago pants. Apparently they're notorious for breaking in, too.
Just visited Vancouver for the first time from Nova Scotia, walked by a lot of those spots you were at and really missed my skateboard. Was cool to see someone skating them though!
Hey Ben, I really liked your video, because the truth is that no one has talked about it, the truth is that I don't skate with Nike shoes, but many people, due to marketing, the professionals they sponsor, etc., buy and use them, I believe that the large corporations that have become embedded in the world of skateboarding have made skater brands bankrupt. This is just my humble opinion, but it's what I see on the streets.
Great take on the dunks. And even better pet snow frolicking footage at the end! Haha
Ben Respect! Honestly the hype came when celebrities starting wearing them cause from 04' to 17'/18' you could buy SB Dunks at every skate shop but they've always had a Lil hype in hiphop/streetwear sub culture. But I love SB Dunks even skating in them and wearing them..
Finally! I was waiting for this episode! Many thanks Ben for reviving!
I skated Nike SB Dunks and I know it is not the most liked brand in skateboarding but they are really durable. For me they actually felt pretty good 🤷♂️
damn your manual game is on point
Your skating is amazing lately, so good to watch!
deep deep thoughts at the end of the video. truly the best skateboard youtuber.
i have skated accel og for about a year and a half now and i think that once you get used to the cupsole especially the es one it is uncomfortable to skate vulcs the edge feels too harsh and they need to break in much longer and wear quicker too
Your skating looks really good with the dunks and baggy pants combo in my opinion.
I don’t care at all about the collectibility of these shoes, but from the perspective of aesthetics they’re a beautiful sneaker. Perfect silhouette and classic lines. I’m a sucker for sweet looking color way too; partial to blue and red. I have yet to cop a pair; just haven’t lucked out and I refuse to pay typical resale prices. I like the two you featured. Really wanted a pair of the Carpet Co highs that came out a year or two ago with tear/wear away graphics under the outer layer.
I really like the look too. Just wish I liked the way they skate.
@@bendegros lol, I hear you. I don’t have the benefit of your experience so I can’t concur, but it doesn’t surprise me at all to hear you say that. I’m a little older than you, but we basically grew up skating in the same era. While shoes may not always look very different than they did in the 90’s and early 2000’s, the tech and comfort have come a long way. So assuming dunk construction is more or less the same as it was…
Damn yeah the Carpet ones were so sick... And the Passport ones were really good too
You are sick at skating Ben! Love watching you skate.
So hyped on each new degros vid
Im personally someone who has always loved skating dunks, and has been willing to go through the hassle involved with buying them, but the recent price increase has kind of been the last straw for me.
The dunk highs, which are most likely the only ones that you will have a chance to buy, now retail for $170 Canadian!! That’s just too damn much for a skate shoe.
I personally love how dunks feel. I like my skate shoes kind of bulky and chunky they make my feet feel safer, it takes some time to get used to but after that they are amazing
Also super jealous you get to ride some INCONIC skate spots.... I was totally waiting for you to do a noseblunt slide on those steps..
I don't care that much about dunks sb, but I remember how I used to participate in a few raffles for some nice colored low dunks for 2 or 3 years and never got a chance to buy one. I wouldn't probably skate in them, more likely I'd wear them just for walks, even though they're not that comfortable, but I can't deny that some of the collabs like the one with Civilist Berlin or atmos Elephant looked pretty good. I have only one old pair of hi top dunks sb which looks nice, but I've never skated in them. Overall, I'd choose a pair of suede blazers sb over any dunks for the actual skateboarding.
Dude, plz explain something about air and hangtime. I've known these two terms since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. I can't find any good tips for it. You're the only one who can do a tutorial of this. Your pop tutorial from back then is already very helpful, but we need something to stay in the air longer.
I love the cat and dog footage at the end :)
First off, thanks for the conte, Ben! You definitely put in the work!! The Dunk, much like the name implies, was originally designed for Basketball.Also, they've been skated loooong before the SB treatment.... As with the AJ I, they were skated because they hit clearance racks(Ask the Bones Brigade) much love!!
I grew up skating in California in the "Fck Nike" era. Nobody I knew would ever imagine skating Nikes. Funny how the world changes.
Ben explained to every fine detail what i felt dunks and i have the same dunks in the vid. i try to skate them every now and then and end up just giving up halfway through a session and go back to whatever other shoes i have haha.
Glad it’s not just me.
Thanks for the video post mate. How is that cat not freezing! I love the snow! It’s a nice 36 degrees Celsius here in Western Australia ☀️
Look at the coat on him. He spends all day outside no problem.
Is that Aleka lang in the background on that bs nose nollie heel?
yup
That manny pad looks perfect 😍 you got any tips on kickflip nose manuals Ben? Got both really well but having issue combining the two
Flick faster. Use slightly less foot on the board
@@bendegros I'll give that a go. Thank you so much!
Love these skate shoe reviews so fire
Great take on the dunk as a skate shoe. Outside of the GT, I have never found Nike SB shoes to especially impressive to skate in. I am an older skater and appreciate the construction of more skate specific brands and find them to be much more functional, with the exception of Adidas, I don't believe any of the "outside" companies have really gotten it right yet(in their designs). I I wonder if you have a take on why this is?
I think New Balance has done it best from the performance and tech perspective.
Great review, way deeper than the snow in your backyard ))
Thats just one more kind of madness... Personally I skate whatever feels ok and could be bought for cheap.
Best part of the video were the animals at the end.
your styles are so clean💯
As someone who skates myself (beginner) I've actually been into collecting shoes (including Dunks) since 2017. I've only been skating for less than a year. I think it's unusual how skaters say that "skaters should be able to buy Dunks first" when the technology in dunks has been around since 90s/2000s and there are much better newer options as well as better old options like the Nike Blazers. It would be like someone saying "Basketball players should be able to buy Jordan 1s first" because they were originally designed as a basketball shoe, yet skaters also buy Jordan 1s and skate in them. Clearly Dunks are mainly popular for skating because they look cool and the hype, and I'm glad you drove that home in this video
I don’t think it’s exactly the same as Jordan’s. Dunk SB runs seem to be intentionally scarce to drive up demand.
@@bendegros I definitely agree that SB Dunks are intentionally scarce but I think the same Is true for Jordan 1 High OGs (which almost always sell out immediately). It seems Nike uses SB Dunk hype to drive demand for all the general release Dunks (Non-SB Dunks) and in the same way they use the Jordan 1 High OG to generate hype and sales for all the general release Jordan 1 Mids and Lows that you can find sitting in Footlocker etc. In saying that though, SB Dunks are definitely more scarce than even the rarer Jordan 1 High OGs (should take into account Jordan 1s are also more popular). All just my opinion though, keep up the great content! Been watching for a good few months now
I only skate in dunks and I find it really hard to go to any other shoe, Im gonna try vans half cabs
They have a very unique feel that I never got used to. I always felt like the were holding back my skating a little....which is exactly how I feel about halfcabs so I think you will love them😂
try the CONVERSE FASTBREAK PRO, good shoe, similar to the dunk. Not too pricey, and barely hyped tho.
@@pharder1234personally I’m still gatekeeping the fastbreaks best skate shoe ever 😤
@@Aminormaze fr i shouldnt even be saying anything, nobody knows how hard they go. you can get them on poshmark for like 60 too, im on my 5th pair or something like that now
@@Aminormaze i always think bout getting a pair but i feel like they not durable
❤❤❤❤❤i feel like the Nike Gt blazer are insanely great but your vid was sick tho !!!
amazing content as always, keeping me on board
I had a pair of Dunks when I first started skating in 2011 cause, like you said, they where sitting on the shelves and I got them for like 60 bucks. Years later I wanted to feel that nostalgia again and get a pair of dunks, but that was when the hype boom happened, and I havent even gotten close to getting a pair. Im probably just gonna buy reps at this point, since theyre identical to real dunks, just from a different factory. Nike themselves are essentially creating the rep market they hate, because of their artificial scracitiy for shoes like dunks. I just wish there were a few basic colorways of dunks jsut constantly available, so the people that want to skate in thm can
Ben, totally unrelated to the video, but given your knowledge on board setups, shoes, etc., it would be cool to see you make a video about recommending setups to your friends.
For example, say a buddy of yours is certain height, weight, and shoe size, and they want to focus their skating on flip tricks, ledges, and manuals. You’d shoot a video of their current setup and skating, interview them, then recommend shoes and a board that you think would work better. A couple weeks later after skating the new setup, you’d film the results. What do you think? (I was mostly inspired by your vids and Jamie Fly’s video about his custom 8.5 board, mellow kicks, and 14” wheelbase)
One year later and as I'm working with kids aged 8-9 this little bit about materialism being like drug addicts hit so hard. There's 9 year old bullying other kids because of not having the newest phone or the right pant or not designer etc. It's scary to say the least! When I was nine we were playing WW2 with sticks in the forest just begging for my parents to rent a TMNT VHS...
Yo i was confused af. Ive watched some of your home repair videos before and i recently ran into your skate videos. I was like damn, he looks like that other guy. I guess it is you! Cool stuff man! Im back on a board after 20 years and tryjng to document my progress. No idea how you find the time to record and edit for 2 channels. Bad ass!
Man I have all the experience you said on the flip tricks at the begginning skating these.
Hi Ben, nice snow. Dunks are hyper inflated due to hypebeast culture and resellers. The dunks are a silhouette that a lot of skate companies use (DC’s mantecas, éS Accels, etc.). I actually prefer the accel slims due to cost and availability. Also the tongue is slimmer on the accel slims (SB dunks have an obnoxious tongue). I won’t be buying any SB dunks anytime soon but thanks for the video and Happy Holidays from my family to yours.
Lewis Marnell was legend all he skated was dunks!
My dog looks exactly like her, is also a rescue, hates the rain too, but LOVES THE SNOW! She is our short haired sled dog.
Dude it's Aleka Lang behind you at 9:40 !! that dude is insane!
You look hella dope in that bro outfit skating t fox Ben lookin good dude
I am skating for 26 years now and started wearing and skating sb dunks around 2004. At that time és, circa and axion were my favourite brands. When i saw P-Rod switching to Nike SB and wearing dunks all the time i was soo curious about how they skate. So i bought one pair at a skateshop in munich and instantly fell in love with this model. They look reall good, the boardfeeling is perfect for me if you break them in and the colourways are crazy. I prefer the suede ones which are more comfortable and skate much better. They also last longer! It really sucks that this model got out the skateboarders hand to greedy resellers. ):
When i stopped skating 6 years ago and got back into it 3 years ago i couldnt trust my eyes how expensive the have become. ): The last two years i was lucky to grab some nice colourways for retail prices but the dumb raffle system is soooo stupid! ): I made a small collection of different clean colourways for myself. So i can ware and skate them the next years and dont care about the stupid prices. (; At the moment i really like the high ones which save my ankles and the basketball look is tight! (:
That crook at 8:50 was supreme clean
Couldn’t agree more. Side note. The shop owner was 100% right. Don’t we all want the local skate shops to thrive and survive? Than why wouldn’t we want them to sell the mediocre skate shoes to other people and make bank so us skaters can keep getting all the actual good skate shoes for ourselves? I know I do! Let them peeps rake in the dough and let us skate the top of the line 4-EEEEEver! (Sandlot voice) 😂
Yeah that's kinda how I've always felt about it. The hype is strange but at least it means the local shop will sell out of each drop of Dunks they get. Can't be mad at that at all
I got an old pair of dunk elites on sale two years ago, I remember not being able to feel my board but they were sooooooo durable
It’s weird because I grew up skating dunk lows mids and highs, never knowing they’d appreciate sometimes 5X original value. Just shredded to death.
For some reason I've felt lately that I want to buy a pair of dunks beacause I wanna know how they skate. Perfect timing for this review.
Maybe you said it but do you usually skate padded shoes or vulc? I loved busenitz and vulc shoes but as I got older it hurts to skate slim shoes and always pick cupsoles nowadays. I recognize the transition from slim to padded shoes as you describe the dunk feeling weird. But now Im used to it. Sick manny footy!
I skated some highs. The fit was good and the comfort was there. Amazing grip and flick. Decent impact and felt cool wearing them. Decent durability. Not worth the money but if they came to me I’d be happy to skate them
Personally, apart from the colour ways, the dunk is a fairly boring shoe design wise. Wouldn't waste my time on them. But if your talking nike and skate shoes, the ishod is one of the best, if not the best skate shoe I have ever skated in. Its so well designed and ticks all the boxes imo. Would love to see a review on them in the future.
Ben is a freakin legend in the skate world 🌎 🛹🛹🛹🛹🛹
bough a pair of dunk sb's Giraffe at exo in quebec in 2013 and they were ON SALE for 50$ size 10. Theyre worth now around 900 on stock x
I literally got fun of for wearing a pair of Orange Dunks in like 2004, I bought them in a clearance bin. 😂😂😂😂
ben really gave out jesus fernandez vibes with the grey hoodie, black pants, & sb dunks combo
I find that I like skating blazers or non Nike shoes way better than dunks. I’ve been wearing dunks as my every day shoe since around 2002 though, so when Nike SB became a thing I was stoked that there was a “better” version of the shoe I could buy in more fun colors. I do, however, like to wear dunks around as my “I’m going out but might skate” shoe since they’re so durable and can wear them casually and skate without them taking much damage and looking terrible. I keep a pair and an extra board in my trunk just in case.
Please review Bones X Formula wheels soon!
New Bones 🤔 !?
@@lebowskiunderachiever3591 yeah
Do a emerica shoe review
I did a good sw backside flip in dunks back in the days over a can. I prefer DC shoes now though.
Fantastic!
Have you tried the Ishod SBs? They’re my favorite BUT replace the stock insole with a thinner one like from the lakai cambridge. The ishods are soft, very flexible and actually feel great to flick.
They look good. I would try them but haven’t.
Ben, you should ride a modern world Industries board and make a vide review about it! It’ll be an honor 🙏
Was there a dip in popularity at some point? I worked at a skate shop in socal in the early to mid 2000s when the first skate dunks started coming out, and they were popular out the gate. At least in Southern California the sneaker heads immediately sniffed drops out and they never sat on the shelf. I still remember seeing a wall of Tiffany dunks in the back of the store, looking back on it now should have bought the whole shop stock lol
I think we have to support Etnies, éS, Emerica, Lakai and Co.
Its one way to help direct your community.
I’ve found there alright when fully broken in I definitely like them for jumping down larger stuff
I had a pair in my mid teens and I remember them being really nice to skate. Except, now a days a suede pair my size go for like $400.
For the past 8 years I have been skating in Vans adders they didn't even make them anymore but I still find them online and on top of that is also skate half cabs cuz the toss up between those two back in the day I used to skate the old Nike High Tops basketball tennis shoes those are really good
The buying dunks thing is really sad with resale culture, but my local skate shop has counteracted the hypebeast/resellers and reserves them for actual skateboarders at retail price. I can understand how other shops outside of California need the markup and need the outside sales, but in SoCal it looks like dunks are here for the skaters. The cool thing about this is that it actually converted one of the hypebeast resellers to an actual skateboarder, and now he's a park local like any other.
got that 90's steeze going on for daaaaaays!
Sick ,Aleka Lang making a cameo appearance!
I swear there are so slippery, that’s why I skated dunks once and now NEVER again. I would suggest superstars, as they grip soo good and the board stays on your feed all the time 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽
SB Dunks are probably my favorite shoe to skate, but they are impossible to buy for a decent price. So, I pretty much only skate éS cup soles.
About 12 years ago I got dunks cause they were on sale and I learned so many tricks with them, wish I’d have gotten more when they were affordable or cheap